Category: Union Territory

Task Force teams constituted to check illegal connections, boosters

Department adding 20 million gallons of water to city this year   

Srinagar: The department of Public Health Engineering (PHE) has started a massive drive against illegal water supply connections to stop pilferage of drinking water in City.

Talking to KNS, Ahmad Muzaffar Lanker chief engineer PHE said that the department wants to curb the menace of misuse of drinking water especially in city. “In some areas we face shortage of drinking water and at some places in City we misuse drinking water by watering plants, lawns, construction purposes and washing our cars,” Mr Lanker observed.

He said that the department provide 67 million gallons of drinking water to City every day and out of this 60 per cent is being misused. “We have formed the Task Force teams headed by AEEs at sub divisional level who will check and curb the illegal connections, illegal boosters and see to it that drinking water is not misused at any cost,” the Chief Engineer PHE said.

Mr Lanker said that AEEs are empowered under water resources Act and they can even impose fine and disconnect the water supply connection to any household found misusing the drinking water supplied by the government.

He said that the department had facilitated low interests loans from Jammu and Kashmir Bank for tube wells in order to reduce the dependence of PHE water supply but the same has not received any response from the public. “The Bank was giving Rs 48000 per house hold for digging of tube wells but the response has been poor,” he added.

Mr Lanker told KNS that the department is also mulling to add 20 million gallons of drinking water with two to three months this year in order to cater areas facing drinking water shortage. “This addition will cater to areas like Pampore, Indira Nagar, Bypass, Chanpora, Khanmoh, Khrew and many other areas in the city,” the Chief Engineer informed. Mr Lanker said that the task Force teams will inspect main city besides the peripheries like Ganderbal, Chadoora and Budgam.

Raises issue of acute problems of ration in J&K

Delhi: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president, Mebooba Mufti,Tuesday called on Ram Vilas Paswan, Union Minister of Food & Civil Supplies, at New Delhi. According to a statement issued to KNS, Mehbooba, who was accompanied by Tariq Hameed Karra, Member of Parliament, brought to his notice the acute problems of the ration in the state. The leaders told the minister that due to scaling down of ration quota to consumers in Jammu & Kashmir numerous families have been pushed to starvation in many areas. “Non-agriculture families in villages and in the cities have been hard hit by the non-availability of food grains in Public Distribution System (PDS),” the leaders informed Paswan.

They also told Paswan that PDS in the state is unable to cater to even 50% needs of the people. They also told the minister about the scarcity of sugar in J&K. The leaders urged him to intervene and help the state in tiding over the problems. The minister informed the PDP leaders that he would seek a report from the state government and initiate action after that. 

25 Offenders prosecuted under FSSA

Srinagar: The Srinagar Municipal Corporation today carried out an intensified anti encroachment awareness drive. The drive which started from Hazratbal was launched in various areas of the city including Soura , Miskeen Bagh,Safakadal, Bohrikadal,Nowhatta , Munawarabad,Batamaloo, Karanagar and other areas was carried out by the enforcement squad of the Corporation.

According to a statement issued to KNS, all the encroachments were removed from the roadside and the goods displayed outside the shops were cleared up to unblock the footpaths and other public spaces.

The drive which was headed by Chief Khilaafwarzi Officer Nisar Shah will continue. All the goods and illegally displayed items outside the shops encroaching upon the public space shall be seized without serving any notice next time.

The shopkeepers and street vendors has been  warned through public addressing system to refrain from encroaching footpaths and roadsides for the free flow of traffic regulation and pedestrian’s movement.

Commissioner SMC Dr Qasba personally monitored the drive and visited various areas in this regard to take a stock of anti encroachment drives..

He passed strict orders to officers to ensure no encroachment or illegal structure is set up in any part of the city. “There will be zero tolerance for encroachments and illegal constructions. . We cannot allow public space to be consumed by the encroachers said Dr Qasba.

Meanwhile, Municipal Magistrate Khursheed-ul -Islam  along with the    Health Officer SMC Dr Rubeena Shaheen today prosecuted at least 25 offenders under Food Safety  Standard Act. This took place when a joint team of Food safety officers led by Ho inspected various food establishments in the city. They visited all the hospital canteens including JVC Medical College, SMHS Medical College and various restaurants and confectionaries. Of Bemina and Barthana area. At least 80kgs of rotten and expired sweets/confectionaries owned by non locals were destroyed on spot during the inspection. The HO has appealed to the general public to check the expiry date of food items before its purchasing. In case of any complaint people may contact SMC helpline 01942488469.

Srinagar: Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) has expressed its heartfelt grief and sorrow over the sad demise of mother in law of famous photo journalist of the valley Mehraj- Udin Sahib ,Abdal Gani Makay (Grandfather of JKLF activist) Shahid Makhaya and famous businessman  Abdual Salam Malik .

According to a statement issued to KNS, Front chairman  Mohammad Yasin Malik along with delegation visited the houses of all deceased and expressed solidarity  with their bereaved families. Malik also prayed for heavenly abode for all the deceased.

Meanwhile JKLF has paid rich tributes to recently martyred youth of Pulwama namely Bilal Ahmad Butt and Mudasir Ahmad Sheikh. JKLF delegation led by Tariq Ahmad visited the parents of the martyred and expressed solidarity with them.

Welcomes release of party zonal president

Srinagar: On the directions of Hurriyat Conference Jammu Kashmir leader Shabir Ahmad Shah, a delegation of Freedom Party led by Moulana Abdullah Taari toured Bhaderwah, Doda and Kishtwar areas of Chenab Valley on 7, 8 and 9 June. The tour was purely an organizational one during which the delegation met the representatives of all the three areas and deliberated on the present political situation of the state. The delegation also deliberated on the recently concluded parliamentary elections and discussed the future course of action with regards to upcoming assembly elections.

According to a statement issued to KNS, Freedom Party reiterated its stand of staying away from electoral politics and expressed satisfaction over the release of party’s zonal president Moulana Abdul Qayoom. They also demanded the release of other political prisoners who were fabricated under false cases.

The 3 member delegation, Jenab Shameem Ahmad Tak of Bhaderwah and provincial president Jammu, Jenab Muhammad Shafi Rangrez made it to the residence of Moulana Abdul Qayoom to express their pleasure over his release and also extended heartfelt congratulations on behalf of Shabir Ahmad Shah.

An important meeting was also held under the chairmanship of provincial president Jammu, Jenab Muhammad Shafi Rangrez  in which the party reiterated its pledge of continuing their freedom struggle till the issue of Kashmir is taken to its logical conclusion. They also prayed for the health of Shabir Ahmad Shah.

On the occasion, the party general secretary, Muhammad Abdullah Taari while applauding the leadership of Shabir Ahmad Shah said that Shah has been struggling for the birth right of self-determination of the people Kashmir and will continue to do so. He also deliberated on the vision of Shabir Ahmad Shah that until there will be friendly relations between India and Pakistan, the resolution of Kashmir issue and peace in south Asia would be a dream.

The party’s provincial president Muhammad Shafi Rangrez while concluding the meeting stressed on the need to spread the party’s programmes to every freedom loving individual so as to defeat the communal policies of pro-India parties.

Shameem Ahmad Tak also stressed on the need to avoid political differences and said there is a need to keep patience and understand each other’s ideology in order to create a peaceful atmosphere.

Srinagar: Starting their sports calendar in the summer capital, Jammu and Kashmir Police is organising two major sports tournaments in the month of June. The first event Inter Battalion Tournament would commence from June 12, and conclude on June 16, 2014and the second tournament viz Inter Zone Tournament will start from June 18, which will conclude on June 21, 2014.

According to a statement issued to KNS, this was announced by the Director General of Police (DGP),  K. Rajendra Kumar in a statement   issued to press here today. He said that all Battalions of IR and Armed Police, besides SDRF would participate in the Inter Battalion Tournament. Accordingly sports person representing different Zones and Wings of the Organization would participate in the Inter Zone Battalion being conducted at Bakshi Stadium and other venue in Srinagar city.

Sports persons, (men, women) would be participating in different games including Basket Ball, Volleyball, Football, Handball, Tug-of-war, Boxing, Judo, Wrestling, Weightlifting, Kabaddi, Hockey and shooting. Besides, Athletes of different Zones and Battalions would excel in 100 metres, 200 metres, 400 metres, 800 metres, 1500 metres, 5000 metres, 10,000 metres, 4X100 metres relay, Shotput, hammer throw, Javelin throw and discus throw, DGP added. The DGP has asked the ADGP (Armed),  S. M. Sahai, who is also the Organizing Secretary of the tournaments to supervise the arrangements personally, being made by the Managing Committee, to conduct the events in a befitting manner. He has also stressed for better coordination among different committees under the leadership of  Sahai. 

Hurriyat (G) to organize seminar on 128 killings on June 11

Srinagar: While strongly condemning the terrorist attack on Krachi Airport and the killings of Shia pilgrims in Balochistan, chairman Hurriyat Conference (G), Syed Ali Geelani said that due to the conspiracy of foreign powers and the sick minded people within the country, Pakistan is passing through the most difficult times of the history and this time it is the duty and responsibility of every patriotic  Pakistani to leave the differences apart and unanimously work for the safety of their country.

According to a statement issued to KNS, he appealed to the Chief of Afghanistan Taliban Mullah Mohammad Umar who are fighting against the occupational forces in Afghanistan that he should use his influence in stopping the terrorist activities of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) against the Pakistan and make them understand that they are axing the same branch of the tree on which they are sitting.

The pro-freedom and pro-Islamic leader of Kashmir expressed his profound grief and sorrow over the death of Soldiers and civilians and said that whoever is involved in this airport attack, they are the worst enemies of the country who are using the name of Islam and they can’t produce any moral, legal or religious justification for this.

Geelani said that if the personals of TTP are involved into these activities and they are doing this willingly to implement the Islamic system in Pakistan then I want to tell them that Islam have neither spread through force in the past nor can this ‘kind system of justice’ be implemented with the help of bombs and ammunition in future also. In Islam all the rights to fight the enemies and the anti-social forces have been kept reserved with the Islamic state and if this Islamic principle were changed then the lawlessness, disharmony and the anarchy will spread everywhere in the world and which will never and no way suits the principles and policies of Islam.

Geelani expressed his sorrow that with regarding to the implementation of Islamic system of governance, TTP is bypassing all the famous and great scholars of Islam and they are adopting the ways which are of their own choice and they have no argument or justification to prove this. The decisions out of emotions can destroy the human lives but these types of activities can’t be fruitful for the cause and it can adversely affect the Image of Islam. Geelani said that according to the preliminary investigation report about the Karachi airport attack and the ammunition ceased thereof, the foreign hand into the attack can’t be ruled out and if it is proved then the Pakistan government without any fear, should point out the country or the person involved in the attack. Any kind of weakness shown at this stage can prove destructive for the future.

Geelani termed the killing of Shia pilgrims in Balochistan as the worst kind of terrorist and anti-humanity activities and said that the sect violence is the result of a big international conspiracy against the Islam and unfortunately some Muslim countries are also involved into these activities. He said that the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) had left a one and united Ummah but the narrow minded, selfish and self claimed scholars scattered this Ummah into pieces. The pro-freedom leader of Kashmir expressed solidarity with the Prime Minister of Pakistan Mian Nawaz Sharif, Pakistan army chief Raheel Sharif and the people of Pakistan and assured them that the oppressed people of Kashmir are with their Pakistani brethren in these trying times and we are praying for the peace, safety and stability of this country.

Meanwhile, in the memory of 128 innocent youth and students who where killed during the 2010 mass uprising and to highlight the need for independent investigation into these killings, Hurriyat Conference (G) is going to organize a daylong seminar on 11 June Wednesday at its Hyderpora Headquarter, which is going to be presided by Geelani. With the family members of the martyred youth of 2010, the seminar will also be attended by the prominent human rights activists, intellectual, writers, politicians and lawyers. The Seminar titled “2010 kay Aad Khilay Phool.. Jo Masal Diyah Gaye” (Half blossomed flowers of 2010, who were crushed), will start at 10:30 a.m. and will last till 4:00 p.m. the speakers in the seminar will express their view point over the title of the seminar and  a Book written on the 2010 killings will be awarded a Commendatory certificate in this seminar. Hurriyat spokesman Ayaz Akbar humbly appealed the media persons to attend this important seminar in which the Hurriyat chairman Syed Ali Geelani will deliver a lecture on the present political situations of Jammu & Kashmir.

Srinagar: Stating that National Conference has witnessed many vicissitudes and faced different challenges during its long political span and struggle, Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah who is also Working President, National Conference Tuesday said that NC has always emerged victorious defeating all troubles and difficulties.

“History is the witness of the conspiracies hatched against National Conference through false propaganda and machinations time and again. You have witnessed flocking of all anti-National Conference forces in the past to dislodge its strong political base and popularity in the State but you have also witnessed the determination and bravery of the workers of this party to steer the ship out of all troubles defeating the disgruntled and vested interests”, he told the office bearers of National Conference in separate meetings at Khag, Berwah and Magam today during his drive to strengthen party rank and file and infuse new energy in the party cadre to counter the propaganda against National Conference and apprise the people that National Conference is the only party in Jammu and Kashmir whose benchmark is public service, political stability, solidarity, brotherhood and equitable development of all the regions and sub-regions inclusively.

Reciting the famous couplet “Girtay hain shah-sawar hi maidan-e-jung main —— Woh tifal kya girain jo guthnu key bal chalain”, Omar Abdullah said that the loss of coalition partners candidates in the recently concluded Parliament Elections has served food for thought to the National Conference workers, office bearers and leaders at the top to ponder upon the reason and make necessary corrective measures to rebound back with force and tell the detectors and enemies of National Conference that NC symbolizing Kashmiriyat and peoples aspirations and lives in the hearts of the people, will re-emerge victorious once again. He quoted a famous couplet of Alama Iqbal “Surat-e-shamsheer hai dastey qaza main woh qoum —– Karti hai jo har zaman apney amal ka hisaab”, and asked the NC rank and file to ascertain the all aspects of its delink with people and rebuild the close rapport with the workers and general public at all levels and in every area of the State.

“Ascertain their anger and address it to their best expectations so that their enthusiasm and love for National Conference which lives in their blood re-surfaces with full spirit”, Omar Abdullah told party office bearers urging them to travel all across and interact with the basic workers and general masses giving them message of not getting mislead by the propagandist elements whose only aim is to defame National Conference and seek power. “Make people recognize their friends and foes and not to get astrayed by those who dance to the tune of their masters outside the State and who owe their existence to the forces against Kashmiriyat”, he said maintaining that since these elements could not succeed in their sinister design because they found National Conference only stumbling block and hurdle so they hatched deep conspiracy to weaken NC and indirectly implement their ultimate objective of damaging National Conference and dividing the society for their vested interests through their local agents.

Omar Abdullah said that National Conference has never compromised on its principles and held its high credentials of unity, brotherhood and amity above every political consideration. He said the agenda of National Conference to seek permanent peace in the State is a public document and whether in power or outside, “we have batted and vigorously advocated peaceful resolution of political issues of the State in a political atmosphere through the process of dialogue and our pursuit in this regard will continue”. He said he as the Chief Minister as also the leader of the opposition has always highlighted the need of addressing political issues pertaining to Jammu and Kashmir politically across the table making it clear that K-issue has political genesis and it cannot be addressed through economic measures. “Many do not digest it, as such are engaged in false propaganda against NC”, he said.

Omar Abdullah said that his government empowered people to the maximum by enacting legislations like Right to Information Act, Public Service Guarantee Act, Re-constitution of Accountability Commission, constitution of Vigilance Commission, introduction of third party monitoring and election and empowerment of Panchayats. He said the list of development initiatives taken by his government and thousands of works launched, implemented and commissioned during the last five and a half years across the State itself speak of the government’s performance towards public good. “Unfortunately, this has not been made fully public otherwise people would have known that this government has surpassed all previous governments in peace restoration and development process besides creating transparency and bringing the government under full public scan”, he said and asked the office bearers of National Conference to make the workers and general public aware of the gigantic task undertaken by the government during the last five and a half years.

“Blunt the false propaganda of your detectors and agents of vested interests by presenting them the huge list of development works achieved in the State by this government as also the initiatives taken for public empowerment and transparency”, he said adding that his government may not have fulfilled all the aspirations of the people but it has in no means lagged behind in delivering the best on the development and peace front. “There is urgent need that people are fully made aware of the stupendous and historic measures implemented by the government for the welfare and political stability of the State”, he asserted and said that awareness is must to defeat the propagandist elements and foil their aim of creating misconception and confusion in the minds of people vis-à-vis National Conference.

The workers meetings were also addressed by the Provincial President, National Conference, Kashmir, Nasir Aslam Wani who also highlighted the need for strengthening and upgrading the rapport between office bearers and the grass root workers. He said that National Conference will re-emerge as the aspiration of the people of Jammu and Kashmir by defeating the conspirators and making public aware of the conspiracy being hatched against them by vested interests. 

Srinagar: The Asia’s largest fruit market is in a pretty bad shape owing to state government’s apathy. Sub standard pesticides and various other fertilizers have caused fruit growers a loss of Rs 500 crore, laments Fayaz Ahmed Malik, president wholesale fruit market Sopore told KNS.

“Though Sopore is considered to be Asia’s largest fruit market, but it is devoid of any modern facilities to make it one of the best markets in Asia,” he rued. The fruit market of Sopore was established in the year 1988. Every year fruit worth Rs 4 Crores is sold in   different parts of the country. However, the irony is that the fruit produced here gets rotten sooner due to unavailability of cold storage in the area.

He further said that there is no availability of potable water and roads are in a dilapidated condition which causes a lot of inconvenience to the traders. “The present Government is doing away with a scheme introduced by PDP Government whereby C-Grade fruit would be sold on the spot, which was beneficial for the farmers.” He said the matter was brought to the notice of the chief minister Omar Abdullah and other ministers also, but no action has been  initiated in this regard so far.